Ready for your learner's permit?

Indiana follows a graduate driver's licensing (GDL) program. Basically, this means there are a specific set of steps you need to follow to get your driver's license. So let's break down each step:

1) Indiana Learner's Permit

You can apply for your learner's permit when you are 15 years old if you have enrolled in a BMV-Approved 30-hour driver education course. You can sign up for our state-approved course as soon as you turn 15. If you don't take a driver's ed course, you cannot apply for your permit until you're 16 years old.

Behind-the-wheel requirement

Once you've signed up for our course, you'll also need to enroll in a local behind-the-wheel training school.

Apply for your learner's permit

Now that you've got a driver's ed course and your behind-the-wheel training completed, you can schedule an appointment at your local driver licensing office. Remember that your parent/guardian must come with you, as he or she must sign your application. You also must bring the following materials:

Proof of:

Identity

Social security number

Indiana residency (make sure you bring two of these)

Citizenship/lawful U.S. presence

A Certificate of Driver Education (CDE) form (which your behind-the-wheel instruction should provide)

You will also need to pass a vision exam and a DMV written knowledge test.

Indiana learner's permit driving restrictions

You can only drive if you're accompanied by one of the following:

Licensed supervising driver who is at least 25 years old

Licensed driving instructor

Your spouse, if she or he is at least 21 years old

2) Indiana Provisional License

Now that you've got your permit, you'll need to have it for at least 6 month (approximately 180 days). You will also need to be at least 16 years and 90 days old if you completed a driving course.

Behind-the-Wheel requirement

Before you can get your provisional license, you need log 50 hours of driving practice, and 10 of these hours must be completed at night. You must log your practice in a Log of Supervised Driving (Form 54706), as you will be required to turn this in when you apply for your provisional license.

Make an appointment

When your appointment arrives, make sure your parent/guardian comes with you, as well as the following items:

Driver's Ed certificate of completion

Learner's permit (you will be turning this in)

Completed Form 54706 (which must be signed by you parent or driving instructor)

Proof of

Identity

Social Security Number

Citizenship or lawful presence

Indiana residency

You will also have to pass a vision test. If you did not previously pass a written knowledge DMV exam, you will have to do so here. If you do not previously pass a driving exam, you will have to do so here.

Indiana Provisional License Driving Restrictions

Until you turn 21 years old, you will have a few driving restrictions you must obey.

During the first 180 days you have your provisional license, you:

Cannot drive between 10pm and 5am

Cannot drive with passengers unless said passenger is your spouse, child, or sibling or if a driver at least 25 years old or a spouse who is at least 21 years old is in the front seat

After first 180 days:

You may drive with passengers, even those who are not immediate family

On Sundays-Thursdays, you cannot drive after 11pm

On Monday-Fridays, you cannot drive before 5am

On Saturday and Sunday, you cannot drive between 1am and 5am

However, if you are driving with someone who is a licensed driver and is at least 25 years old or a spouse who is at least 21 years old, you may drive during the otherwise restricted hours. Additionally, you may drive during those hours for work, school, or church.